Stephen Forrest

he/him

5.0

(11)

Timezone

America/los Angeles

Language

English

Identity

Neurodivergent

About Stephen Forrest

Hello to one and hello to all. Fantasy has a way of immersing us within it the same way we consume those stories it shares. I have been playing or running RPG games off and on during the past three decades. Throughout various systems and new versions there always seems something new to learn or a way to grow. I have experience running with established campaign settings and full homebrew content as well. Whether it is a pre-written adventure, a custom modular campaign or an open ended journey full of discovery and exploration; I can provide as storyteller and gamemaster. I believe that gaming is about having fun, for yourself and with those you play with. If a player wants to do something, I try to say yes and figure out a way to make it work. Because of this I try to provide a flexible foundation for collaborative storytelling between players and the challenges they face. First and foremost in my games is the story and how the player characters fit within it-interacting with each other or NPCs. Combat and dice rolling is secondary but still creates the framework within which the story is told.

At a glance

4 years on StartPlaying

295 games hosted

Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, World Builder

Featured Prompts

I became a GM because

Finding that I very much enjoyed the combination of individual characters going through a collaborative story while being human beings socializing with each other and playing a game together too. Being able to facilitate that provides benefit to both myself and those who wish to participate in such.

The three words my players would use to describe me are...

Encouraging, collaborative, balanced.

How Stephen Forrest runs games

I believe in gaming as a group effort between player(s) and storyteller. Reading, listening or writing stories has always important to me and I enjoy voicing dialogue and narrative description for action and location. Not starting with tactical map or miniatures gave me respect for theatre of the mind. Now though, I can appreciate some of the nuances that a tactical minimap is able to provide a game as well as the presence of mind in making them. Such visual aids are even more important for a digital experience I have found I also have almost every official DnD 5e book in some form or other and can run any of the modules as desired.

Featured Prompts

I once ran a session...

where the players leading a hostile invasion of a cave city battled on the floor, roof and open air of the cavern. While the armies clashed below some of the players fought in the ceiling sanctum with reversed gravity, a boss, and allies who betrayed them. leading to an aerial/falling last phase.

When it comes to voices

When zoomed in on a scene or conversation I focus on modulating my voice to try and elicit a sound and emotion I feel is appropriate for the fantasy character I am trying to embody. If zooming out and speeding things along I will simply narrate summary.

Stephen Forrest's ideal table

My tables tend to be focused but light hearted storytelling, brushing against more serious subject matter on occasion without going into much detail. In a fantasy world where evils exist and are fought against, it does no good to ignore them. Greyscale moral and ethical questions may arise.

Featured Prompts

I love it when a player

takes agency to describe their own actions and behavior during a scene, combat or conversation.

My perfect party mix is

one where each player has a place and feels as if they contribute and belong(even if their character does not). Everyone should enjoy themselves and the story manifested, even if it can get tense or stressful.